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Upturn AI SWOT - About
SCL 
Stepan Company (SCL)
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Upturn Advisory Summary
08/28/2025: SCL (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.
Upturn Star Rating
Not Recommended Performance
These Stocks/ETFs, based on Upturn Advisory, consistently fall short of market performance, signaling caution before investing.
Number of Analysts
2 Analysts rated it
Very few follow this stock; limited insights, higher-risk early investing.
1 Year Target Price $85
1 Year Target Price $85
| 0 | Strong Buy |
| 1 | Buy |
| 1 | Hold |
| 0 | Sell |
| 0 | Strong Sell |
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit -30.74% | Avg. Invested days 31 | Today’s Advisory PASS |
Upturn Star Rating | Upturn Advisory Performance  2.0 | Stock Returns Performance  1.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 08/28/2025 |
Key Highlights
Company Size Small-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 1.14B USD | Price to earnings Ratio 19.77 | 1Y Target Price 85 |
Price to earnings Ratio 19.77 | 1Y Target Price 85 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 2 | Beta 0.97 | 52 Weeks Range 43.59 - 79.98 | Updated Date 08/29/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 43.59 - 79.98 | Updated Date 08/29/2025 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) 3.07% | Basic EPS (TTM) 2.53 |
Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth
Revenue by Products
Product revenue - Year on Year
Revenue by Geography
Geography revenue - Year on Year
Earnings Date
Report Date - | When - | Estimate - | Actual - |
Profitability
Profit Margin 2.57% | Operating Margin (TTM) 3.06% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) 2.05% | Return on Equity (TTM) 4.77% |
Valuation
Trailing PE 19.77 | Forward PE 19.42 | Enterprise Value 1755702110 | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.5 |
Enterprise Value 1755702110 | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.5 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 0.78 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 8.59 | Shares Outstanding 22616400 | Shares Floating 21439254 |
Shares Outstanding 22616400 | Shares Floating 21439254 | ||
Percent Insiders 4.61 | Percent Institutions 85.74 |
Upturn AI SWOT
Stepan Company
Company Overview
History and Background
Stepan Company was founded in 1932 by Alfred C. Stepan Jr. It started as a producer of metallic soaps and gradually expanded into surfactants, polymers, and specialty products. Significant milestones include geographical expansion, product diversification, and strategic acquisitions.
Core Business Areas
- Surfactants: Stepan is a major producer of surfactants, which are key ingredients in detergents, shampoos, fabric softeners, and other cleaning and personal care products.
- Polymers: Stepan produces polymers used in various applications, including insulation, adhesives, coatings, and elastomers.
- Specialty Products: This segment includes products such as food emulsifiers, oilfield chemicals, and other specialty chemical solutions.
Leadership and Structure
The leadership team consists of the CEO, CFO, and other senior executives. The organizational structure is typically hierarchical, with various departments and divisions reporting to the executive team.
Top Products and Market Share
Key Offerings
- Surfactants for Consumer Products: Stepan's surfactants are widely used in household cleaning and personal care products. Market share information is difficult to pinpoint exactly, but Stepan is a significant player in the North American and European markets. Competitors include BASF, Evonik, and Clariant. Revenue is a significant portion of the Surfactants segment earnings, likely in the hundreds of millions USD.
- Polyester Polyols: These polyols are key components in polyurethane systems used in insulation, coatings, and adhesives. Stepan is a leading supplier of polyester polyols. Competitors include Covestro and Dow. Specific market share and revenue data are not readily available but are critical contributors to the polymer segment.
- Agricultural Adjuvants: Stepan sells adjuvants for use in agricultural applications. Competitors include Corteva and Loveland Products. Exact market share and revenue numbers are not public. These are a part of Specialty Products.
Market Dynamics
Industry Overview
The chemical industry is cyclical and influenced by factors such as raw material prices, economic growth, and regulatory changes. Demand for surfactants and polymers is driven by population growth, urbanization, and increasing consumer spending on cleaning and personal care products.
Positioning
Stepan Company is positioned as a leading supplier of surfactants, polymers, and specialty chemicals, with a focus on innovation, quality, and customer service. Its competitive advantages include its strong market position in surfactants, its diverse product portfolio, and its global manufacturing footprint.
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
The total market value for surfactants and polymers is estimated to be in the hundreds of billions of dollars globally. Stepan Company captures a percentage of this market with opportunity to expand.
Upturn SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Strong market position in surfactants
- Diversified product portfolio
- Global manufacturing footprint
- Focus on innovation and sustainability
- Long-standing customer relationships
Weaknesses
- Exposure to raw material price fluctuations
- Dependence on a few key customers
- Cyclical nature of the chemical industry
- Potential environmental liabilities
- Limited brand recognition compared to consumer-facing brands
Opportunities
- Expanding into emerging markets
- Developing new and innovative products
- Acquiring complementary businesses
- Benefiting from increasing demand for sustainable products
- Leveraging digital technologies
Threats
- Increased competition from global players
- Rising raw material costs
- Stringent environmental regulations
- Economic downturns
- Technological disruptions
Competitors and Market Share
Key Competitors
- BASF (BASF.DE)
- Evonik (EVK.DE)
- Clariant (CLN.SW)
Competitive Landscape
Stepan Company competes with a mix of global chemical companies. The company's advantages include its strong market position in surfactants, its diverse product portfolio, and its focus on innovation. Its disadvantages include its smaller size compared to some of its competitors and its exposure to raw material price fluctuations.
Major Acquisitions
Nouryon's (formerly AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals) surfactant business
- Year: 2023
- Acquisition Price (USD millions): 220.5
- Strategic Rationale: Expanded Stepan's specialty surfactant capabilities and market reach in North America.
Growth Trajectory and Initiatives
Historical Growth: Stepan Company's historical growth has been driven by organic growth, acquisitions, and expansion into new markets.
Future Projections: Future growth is expected to be driven by increasing demand for surfactants and polymers, as well as the company's innovation and strategic initiatives.
Recent Initiatives: Recent initiatives include investments in new manufacturing facilities, product development, and sustainability initiatives.
Summary
Stepan Company is a well-established chemical company with a strong position in the surfactants market. It benefits from a diversified product portfolio and a global manufacturing footprint. However, it faces challenges related to raw material price volatility and increased competition. The company is strategically focused on innovation and sustainability, which should drive future growth.
Peer Comparison
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- Stepan Company Investor Relations
- Financial News Outlets
- Company Filings (10-K, 10-Q)
- Industry Reports
Disclaimers:
This analysis is based on publicly available information and is not financial advice. Market conditions are always subject to change.
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.
About Stepan Company
Exchange NYSE | Headquaters Northbrook, IL, United States | ||
IPO Launch date 1992-03-17 | President, CEO & Director Mr. Luis E. Rojo | ||
Sector Basic Materials | Industry Specialty Chemicals | Full time employees 2396 | Website https://www.stepan.com |
Full time employees 2396 | Website https://www.stepan.com | ||
Stepan Company, together with its subsidiaries, produces and sells specialty and intermediate chemicals to other manufacturers for use in various end products worldwide. It operates through three segments: Surfactants, Polymers, and Specialty Products. The Surfactants segment offers surfactants that are used in consumer and industrial cleaning and disinfection products, including detergents for washing clothes, dishes, carpets, and floors and walls, as well as shampoos and body washes; and other applications, such as fabric softeners, germicidal quaternary compounds, disinfectants, lubricating ingredients; emulsifiers for spreading agricultural products; and industrial applications comprising latex systems, plastics, and composites. The Polymers segment provides polyurethane polyols that are used in the manufacture of rigid foam for thermal insulation in the construction industry, as well as a base raw material for coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers (CASE); polyester resins used in coating applications; specialty polyols, such as CASE and powdered polyester resins; and phthalic anhydride that is used in unsaturated polyester resins, alkyd resins, and plasticizers for applications in construction materials, as well as components of automotive, boating, and other consumer products. The Specialty Products segment offers flavors, emulsifiers, and solubilizers for use in food, flavoring, nutritional supplement, and pharmaceutical applications. Stepan Company was founded in 1932 and is headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois.
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